Paedophile jailed after children’s home abuse

ALAN McEWEN

A SERIAL paedophile who preyed on children at a church-run care home in Edinburgh has been jailed for 14 years.

Ian Samson – who wore a shellsuit and medallion throughout his trial – molested youngsters and raped one girl at the home where he lived with his wife, who worked there as the matron.

The 72-year-old continued the abuse even after he left, targeting other victims over a period of decades.

The court heard that some of the youngsters hid in cupboards or in dog baskets in a bid to escape the abuse.

A neighbour who lived near Samson in Coalgate Avenue, Tranent, today described him as “a loner who kept himself to himself”.

Referring to the pervert’s outfit in court, he added: “He always dressed pretty normally. He wouldn’t have lasted long dressing like Jimmy Savile round here.”

Police chiefs branded Samson a “manipulative and cunning individual” and praised the bravery of the victims who came forward to report their ordeals.

After a six-day trial, a jury found Samson guilty of 22 charges, including rape, indecency and assault involving 12 different victims.

Eight of the crimes took place at the former children’s home in Edinburgh between 1975 and 1981.

Jailing Samson yesterday at the High Court in Glasgow, judge Lady Scott told him: “You are a prolific, predatory and violent sex offender who poses a danger to all young children.”

The judge said that Samson had taken jobs where he would have contact with children. He was employed at a boys’ hostel, then a children’s home and then had an ice cream van.

One rape victim, now aged 48, told the court that Samson used to force her to perform sex acts from the age of 12.

The abuse continued after she left. She said she later became pregnant by Samson and decided to have an abortion. The woman’s younger brother, now aged 45, told the court that as a little boy in the home, he woke to find Samson molesting him.